FLORIDA — Fifteen people were arrested during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in the Florida Keys, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The operation, called “Operation Tidal Wave,” was conducted in Key Largo by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with the U.S. Border Patrol.
Officials said the 15 individuals were in the United States illegally and are originally from Cuba, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico and Guatemala.
According to state officials, all of the people taken into custody had extensive criminal histories. Authorities said their prior charges and convictions include offenses such as battery and domestic violence, possession of cocaine, theft and burglary, failure to appear in court, driving without a license and obstruction of justice. Some were also previously deported or faced charges involving home invasion, aggravated battery and illegal firearm possession.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Executive Director Dave Kerner said the operation was part of a coordinated effort between state and federal agencies to locate and arrest individuals in the country illegally who have criminal records.
Officials said the Florida Highway Patrol’s Criminal Alien Apprehension Team works alongside federal partners in targeted operations aimed at removing individuals with criminal histories from communities.
Since March 2025, authorities say Florida Highway Patrol has apprehended more than 9,000 people in the country illegally, including over 1,600 with prior criminal histories.
